Our spy photographers have caught the 2012 Audi A6 Avant testing in the deserts of the southwest. However, the Wild West setting doesn't guarantee this handsome wagon will be swaggering its way into U.S. showrooms. Car buyers here have long had a love/hate relationship with wagons, with even the best of the breed often saddled with a soccer-mom image. Yet with the revitalized 2012 A6 sedan already shown earlier this year during the Detroit auto show, chances are good Audi will opt to bring more variants to our shores – or deserts, if you prefer.

Sleeker and larger (in all the right places) than the outgoing model, the new A6 has moved from the Volkswagen Group C platform to Audi's modular aluminum chassis. What does that mean? Well, the most obvious benefit is a boost in cabin space. Overall length remains nearly the same, but the wheelbase now measures around 115 inches, which is approximately four inches longer than the previous A6. This adds extra interior room, along with increased flexibility when it comes to powertrain packaging.

In Detroit, we complimented Audi on improving the design of the A6 sedan without opting for full-scale cosmetic surgery. Already one of the most handsome luxury vehicles on the market, the slimmer headlights and more angular grill of the 2012 A6 add some boldness to the front of the car. A sharper character line running along the flanks improves on the slab-sided design of the previous model. Audi has also included a more elegant dashboard and made MMI, the brand's multimedia interface, standard equipment.

The Avant prototype spotted undergoing desert testing seems production-ready to our eyes. From the refined integration of the hatchback to those gorgeous 10-spoke alloy wheels, the 2012 A6 Avant will remain one of the best looking wagons in the business. And that wheelbase stretch sounds like the perfect match for the extra utility offered by a wagon. But with Audi introducing more SUVs and crossovers into its lineup, a new Avant might seem one A6 model too many for U.S. dealers.

If it arrives in the States, look for the supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V-6 to be fitted as standard, along with Quattro all-wheel-drive. Audi's new 4.0-liter V-8 is a likely high-performance alternative. Available gearboxes should include an 8-speed automatic or 7-speed dual clutch transmission. We expect Audi to offer more specifics regarding its new A6 lineup – including plans for the Avant, the S6 and a hybrid model – later this month during the New York auto show.